Orange you glad it’s Monday? Well, maybe not, but it is the night of Clemson’s big game v. Alabama and we’re stoked to cheer on the home team. Today’s also Mayor Tecklenburg’s first day in office so if it’s gonna be a Monday, at least it’s for a good cause. Read on for another good cause: keepin’ your wallet fat with all these free events.
Monday
Drink until ya laugh at The Sparrow’s stand-up night starting at 9:30 p.m.
Jam to blues and play some bingo at Elliotborough Mini Bar at 7 p.m.
Nathan Salley gets down to country, pop, and rock at Red’s tonight.
Get a head full ‘o Dead when Rodeo Clown takes the PoHo stage at 6 p.m.
Tuesday
You can sing, dance, recite poetry, or watch all the above go down at Palmetto’s open mic from 5-7 p.m.
Learn about refugee conditions during the Civil War at Johns Island Library’s lecture at 11:15 a.m. Historian Nic Butler will tell ya all about South Carolina’s largest ever refugee crisis.
Scott Frank hosts Cutty’s comedy night. DJ’ed by Pat Templeton the fun starts at 8 p.m.
Tuesday means trivia. Get your fill at Home Team on Sullivan’s, Cutty’s, or Bay Street Biergarten.
Wednesday
City Paper cartoonist Steve Stegelin shows his first ever introspective of his life’s work at Working Man, an exhibit at 4th Wall (formerly Jericho Arts) from 5:30-9 p.m.
The Charleston Library Society hosts their first book club of the year at 10 a.m. with Helen Macdonald’s H is for Hawk. Oh yeah, and they’re bringing in birds of prey.
Run for beer at Fleet Feet Sports’ pub run at the Alley. The three-mile run starts at 6:30 p.m.
Head to the Tin Roof for bingo — the kind where you can win free drinks — starting at 7 p.m.
Name the music, like song titles, artists, and release dates for a chance to win prizes every half hour at Southside 17 starting at 5:30 p.m.
Thursday
Bring the kids to the Main Library at 3:30 p.m. where they’ll learn about volunteering during the I Make a Difference program.
Grad school isn’t free but this open house is! Check out the Lowcountry Graduate Center from 5-7 p.m. where you can learn about graduate study opportunities.
The Southern, a new downtown art gallery, debuts its first exhibit, (it was) A Wet Hot, Southern Summer from 7-10 p.m.
Friday
Peruse a wide variety of cool clothes, home furnishings, and even set pieces from Vice Principals at Closet Case, a pop-up thrift shop held at Jericho Arts from Fri. Jan.15-Mon. Jan. 18, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. daily.
Palmetto’s loading dock series features tunes from the Abigail Palmer Group and Forty Mile Detour with food available for purchase from Fauzia’s starting at 6 p.m.
Head to Olde Village Community Center in North Charleston at 7 p.m. for a gospel artist showcase.
The Paper Crowns play Americana, rock, and indie jams at The Mill.
Saturday
The Charleston Marathon costs money. Watching poor souls struggle through 26.2 miles don’t cost a thing.
Kids can figure out if they have what it takes at St. Andrews Regional Library at 11 a.m. where children ages four-11 are invited to take part in Superhero Academy.
Taste all that Folly has to offer at their annual Taste of Folly event starting at 11 a.m. on Center Street. Go for the live music and stay for the hotdog eating contest.
Ever wonder about the history of Charleston’s newspaper, The Chronicle? Learn all about the decades-old publication at this discussion at the Main Library from 1-3 p.m.
Lynne Riding will discuss her exhibit, The Pulse Beneath the Surface, at Redux at 2 p.m. during an artist’s talk.
Sunday
Get free entry into the Children’s Museum from 5:45-8 p.m. with the donation of a new toy which will be gifted to local foster children.
Chill out at a Zen meditation group at Holy Cow Yoga from 7:45-10:15 a.m.
Bobby Hogg and Friends play the Pour House deck at 6 p.m.
McKenna Andrews plays country and pop at Rita’s Seaside Grille at 10 a.m.
Stay cool. Support City Paper.
City Paper has been bringing the best news, food, arts, music and event coverage to the Holy City since 1997. Support our continued efforts to highlight the best of Charleston with a one-time donation or become a member of the City Paper Club.